16 Replies - 1491 Views - Last Post: 22 July 2011 - 11:35 AM

Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 09:14 AM

I've been in college for 2 years now (as the title says) and I've done a rudimentary course in Java years ago in high school. We never touched the OOP concepts back then.

In college we've done VB.NET and C# and getting drilled into our heads the OOP concepts. But self-studying Java has proved to be a b*#$h. Could it be Core Java Vol. 1 8th Edition complicating the concepts?

I don't know if it's just me, but it's annoying to think that I have a fair understanding of OOP, but going through the book on Java, just sends my brain crashing. Any of you ever experience difficulty with something you think should be relatively easy to grasp at your level?

Re: Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 10:35 AM

yes they do cost more. But that one has the most up to date stuff. I taught myself C this summer and was going to self learn java. I looked up 3 community colleges in my area, and thats the text they were using. I am no pro at programming, but I appreciate the hand holding and how texts start with int is this, this is a variable. It makes for a complete text, and you can always skim forward what you already know. You can usually get an edition early for a huge discount as well.

A good way to do it is take what you know, and use your current book for examples to code in. So take your C# sharp book, and code the examples as you go along in Java. It really helps when you are self learning. I did that with C, and its amazing how I feel more confident in my approach to coding in C and C++

Re: Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 11:50 AM

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I am no pro at programming, but I appreciate the hand holding and how texts start with int is this, this is a variable. It makes for a complete text, and you can always skim forward what you already know. You can usually get an edition early for a huge discount as well.

Agreed! I like the books that are 600+ pages, that always gives me a clue of how much they cover. Plus, "int is this, this is a variable" makes it good for skimming.

Quote

A good way to do it is take what you know, and use your current book for examples to code in. So take your C# sharp book, and code the examples as you go along in Java. It really helps when you are self learning. I did that with C, and its amazing how I feel more confident in my approach to coding in C and C++

Re: Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 09:30 PM

Your right brewer..
Head first is a good book to deeply understand the concept, but somehow it lacks some deep parts..
But another good comprehensive book that i've been reading is Java: How to Program by Deitel & Deitel. Check it out here Java: How to Program 7th edition .. its a book that describes everything about java, well not really everything..

Re: Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 09:44 PM

Head First books are not childish! Just ten times more fun to read. After you're done with a Head First book you'll be able to understand the advanced books anyway, Head First does a good job of explaining the basics. After Head First get another OOP book.

Re: Being in college for 2 years, Java OOP confuses me.

Posted 19 July 2011 - 10:10 PM

CreamDelight, on 20 July 2011 - 02:00 AM, said:

Your right brewer..
Head first is a good book to deeply understand the concept, but somehow it lacks some deep parts..
But another good comprehensive book that i've been reading is Java: How to Program by Deitel & Deitel. Check it out here Java: How to Program 7th edition .. its a book that describes everything about java, well not really everything..

I wouldn't go so far as to say that a Head First book will allow you to understand anything deeply, nor do the authors seem to portray their book in such a way. Head First books are, in my opinion, meant to introduce you to a topic and prepare you for further study with books that go more in depth.